Blade Dovetail and Retention Apparatus

ABSTRACT

Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a slot to accommodate a blade of an engine. An example apparatus includes: a socket to receive an end of a blade; and a retaining device to interact with the socket and the blade for retention of the end of the blade in the socket. The example retaining device includes: a spacer to be positioned in the socket with the end of the blade; a wedge positioned inside the spacer; and a spring to tighten to pull the wedge to expand the spacer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent arises from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.63/070,259, which was filed on Aug. 25, 2020. U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/070,259 is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/070,259 is hereby claimed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates generally to blade retention, and moreparticularly, to a retention apparatus for a blade dovetail.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, turbine engines have been increasingly utilized in avariety of applications and fields. Turbine engines are intricatemachines with extensive availability, reliability, and serviceabilityrequirements. Turbine engines include fan blades. The fan blades spin athigh speed and subsequently compress the air flow. The high-pressurecompressor then feeds the pressurized air flow to a combustion chamberto generate a high-temperature, high-pressure gas stream. In operation,various forces act on the blades and can cause the blades to becomeunseated and/or otherwise unsuitable for continued operation in theengine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example cross-section view of an example turbofangas turbine engine.

FIG. 1B illustrates an example cross-section view of an example openrotor engine.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross section of an example high-pressure compressorrotor depicting a compressor dovetail slot.

FIGS. 3A-4B illustrate example forces and moments acting on a bladedovetail.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which a dovetail of a rotor or bladefits in a slot.

FIGS. 6A-6C show views of an example self-adjusting, locking spacerapparatus.

FIG. 7 shows an example collect or holder for a blade dovetail.

FIG. 8 depicts an example engine cross-section in which the collectconfiguration of FIG. 7 can be implemented.

FIG. 9 shows an example graph of amplification ratio versus frequencyratio experienced by an example blade dovetail.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate differences in dovetail loading with respect toa baseline.

FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate example blade dovetail axial and radialretention configurations.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an example parameterization with respect to ramloads.

FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate an improved collect dovetail configuration inwhich a blade dovetail slot is provided in a collect and/or trunnionwith combined axial retention and slot stiffeners on both sides of theslot.

FIGS. 14A-14D show alternative example views of a collect and dovetaildesign, in which the dovetail surrounds and/or is otherwise attached tothe collect, rather than being positioned in a slot.

FIGS. 15A-15B show a conventional arrangement with a radial pitch axisaround which a blade rotates that is oriented parallel or colinear to aradial center line of the engine.

FIGS. 16A-16B show an example configuration in which the pitch axis isnot parallel or colinear to the radial center line of the engine.

FIGS. 17-27 illustrate example configurations of a blade at an adjustedpitch axis.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart of a method to determine blade position to set apitch axis relative to an engine radial axis.

The figures are not to scale. Instead, the thickness of regions may beenlarged in the drawings. In general, the same reference numbers will beused throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description torefer to the same or like parts. Connection references (e.g., attached,coupled, connected, and joined) are to be construed broadly and mayinclude intermediate members between a collection of elements andrelative movement between elements unless otherwise indicated. As such,connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements aredirectly connected and in fixed relation to each other. Stating that anypart is in “contact” and/or “direct contact” with another part meansthat there is no intermediate part between the two parts.

Descriptors “first,” “second,” “third,” etc. are used herein whenidentifying multiple elements or components which may be referred toseparately. Unless otherwise specified or understood based on theircontext of use, such descriptors are not intended to impute any meaningof priority, physical order or arrangement in a list, or ordering intime but are merely used as labels for referring to multiple elements orcomponents separately for ease of understanding the disclosed examples.In some examples, the descriptor “first” may be used to refer to anelement in the detailed description, while the same element may bereferred to in a claim with a different descriptor such as “second” or“third.” In such instances, it should be understood that suchdescriptors are used merely for ease of referencing multiple elements orcomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aircrafts include engines that act as a propulsion system to generatemechanical power and forces such as thrust. A gas turbine, also called acombustion turbine or a turbine engine, is a type of internal combustionengine that can be implemented in the propulsion system of an aircraft.For example, a gas turbine can be implemented in connection with aturbofan or a turbojet aircraft engine. Gas turbines also havesignificant applications in areas such as industrial power generation.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown byway of illustration specific examples that may be practiced. Theseexamples are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in theart to practice the subject matter, and it is to be understood thatother examples may be utilized. The following detailed description istherefore, provided to describe example implementations and not to betaken limiting on the scope of the subject matter described in thisdisclosure. Certain features from different aspects of the followingdescription may be combined to form yet new aspects of the subjectmatter discussed below.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended tomean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “first,”“second,” and the like, do not denote any order, quantity, orimportance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to beinclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than thelisted elements. As the terms “connected to,” “coupled to,” etc. areused herein, one object (e.g., a material, element, structure, member,etc.) can be connected to or coupled to another object regardless ofwhether the one object is directly connected or coupled to the otherobject or whether there are one or more intervening objects between theone object and the other object.

As used herein, the terms “system,” “unit,” “module,” “engine,” etc.,may include a hardware and/or software system that operates to performone or more functions. For example, a module, unit, or system mayinclude a computer processor, controller, and/or other logic-baseddevice that performs operations based on instructions stored on atangible and non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as acomputer memory. Alternatively, a module, unit, engine, or system mayinclude a hard-wired device that performs operations based on hard-wiredlogic of the device. Various modules, units, engines, and/or systemsshown in the attached figures may represent the hardware that operatesbased on software or hardwired instructions, the software that directshardware to perform the operations, or a combination thereof.

The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative directionwith respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream”refers to the direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream”refers to the direction to which the fluid flows. As used herein,“vertical” refers to the direction perpendicular to the ground. As usedherein, “horizontal” refers to the direction parallel to the centerlineof the gas turbine engine 100. As used herein, “lateral” refers to thedirection perpendicular to the axial and vertical directions (e.g., intoand out of the plane of FIG. 1, etc.).

In some examples used herein, the term “substantially” is used todescribe a relationship between two parts that is within three degreesof the stated relationship (e.g., a substantially colinear relationshipis within three degrees of being linear, a substantially perpendicularrelationship is within three degrees of being perpendicular, asubstantially parallel relationship is within three degrees of beingparallel, etc.).

As used herein, the terms “axial” and “longitudinal” both refer to adirection parallel to the centerline axis of an gas turbine (e.g., aturbofan, a core gas turbine engine, etc.), while “radial” refers to adirection perpendicular to the axial direction, and “tangential” or“circumferential” refers to a direction mutually perpendicular to theaxial and radial directions. Accordingly, as used herein, “radiallyinward” refers to the radial direction from the outer circumference ofthe gas turbine towards the centerline axis of the gas turbine, and“radially outward” refers to the radial direction from the centerlineaxis of the gas turbine towards the outer circumference of gas turbine.As used herein, the terms “forward”, “fore”, and “front” refer to alocation relatively upstream in an air flow passing through or around acomponent, and the terms “aft” and “rear” refer to a location relativelydownstream in an air flow passing through or around a component.

The basic operation of a gas turbine implemented in connection with aturbofan engine of a propulsion system of an aircraft includes an intakeof fresh atmospheric air flow through the front of the turbofan enginewith a fan. In the operation of a turbofan engine, a first portion ofthe intake air bypasses a core gas turbine engine of the turbofan toproduce thrust directly. A second portion of the intake air travelsthrough a booster compressor (e.g., a first compressor) located betweenthe fan and a high-pressure compressor (e.g., a second compressor) inthe core gas turbine engine (e.g., the gas turbine). The boostercompressor is used to raise or boost the pressure of the second portionof the intake air prior to the air flow entering the high-pressurecompressor. The air flow can then travel through the high-pressurecompressor that further pressurizes the air flow. The booster compressorand the high-pressure compressor each include a group of blades attachedto a rotor and/or shaft. The blades spin at high speed relative tostationary vanes and each subsequently compresses the air flow. Thehigh-pressure compressor then feeds the pressurized air flow to acombustion chamber (e.g., combustor). In some examples, thehigh-pressure compressor feeds the pressurized air flow at speeds ofhundreds of miles per hour. In some instances, the combustion chamberincludes one or more rings of fuel injectors that inject a steady streamof fuel into the combustion chamber, where the fuel mixes with thepressurized air flow. A secondary use of the compressors, particularlythe high-pressure compressor, is to bleed air for use in other systemsof the aircraft (e.g., cabin pressure, heating, and air conditioning,etc.)

In the combustion chamber of the core gas turbine engine, the fuel isignited with an electric spark provided by an igniter, where the fuel insome examples burns at temperatures of more than 2000 degreesFahrenheit. The resulting combustion produces a high-temperature,high-pressure gas stream (e.g., hot combustion gas) that passes throughanother group of blades called a turbine. The turbine can include alow-pressure turbine and a high-pressure turbine, for example. Each ofthe low-pressure turbine and the high-pressure turbine includes anintricate array of alternating rotating blades and stationaryairfoil-section blades (e.g., vanes). The high-pressure turbine islocated axially downstream from the combustor and axially upstream fromthe low-pressure turbine. As the hot combustion gas passes through theturbine, the hot combustion gas expands through the blades and/or vanes,causing the rotating blades couples to rotors of the high-pressureturbine and the low-pressure turbine to spin.

The rotating blades of the high-pressure turbine and the low-pressureturbine serve at least two purposes. A first purpose of the rotatingblades is to drive the fan, the high-pressure compressor, and/or thebooster compressor to draw more pressured air into the combustionchamber. For example, in a dual-spool design of a turbofan, thelow-pressure turbine (e.g., a first turbine) can be attached to and inforce transmitting connection with the booster compressor (e.g., thefirst compressor) and fan via a first shaft, collectively a first spoolof the gas turbine, such that the rotation of a rotor of thelow-pressure turbine drives a rotor of the booster compressor and thefan. For example, a high-pressure turbine (e.g., a second turbine) canbe attached to and in force transmitting connection with thehigh-pressure compressor (e.g., a second compressor) via a second shaftcoaxial with the first shaft, collectively a second spool of the gasturbine, such that the rotation of a rotor of the high-pressure turbinedrives a rotor of the high-pressure compressor. A second purpose of therotating blades is to spin a generator operatively coupled to theturbine section to produce electricity. For example, the turbine cangenerate electricity to be used by an aircraft, a power station, etc.

It is generally an object of the design of aircraft engines such asturbofans to compress as much air as is feasible within the compressorof the a core gas turbine engine given the static, dynamic, centrifugaland/or thermal stress limitations and weight considerations of aspectsof the core gas turbine engine and/or the turbofan engine. A metricdefining the compressive action of a compressor is a compression ratio(e.g., pressure ratio) of a compressor. The compression ratio of acompressor of a turbofan engine is the ratio of pressure at an outlet ofthe compressor (e.g., the outlet of the high-pressure compressor at thecombustion chamber of the gas turbine) to pressure at an inlet of a fan.A higher compression ratio increases a thermal efficiency of the turbineengine and decreases a specific fuel consumption of the turbine engine(e.g., a ratio of fuel used to thrust produced by the jet engine). Thus,an increase in the compression ratio of the compressor of a gas turbinecan increase thrust produced by a jet engine, such as a turbofan, etc.,and/or can increase fuel efficiency of the jet engine. In turn, it is anobject of gas turbine design to minimize or otherwise reduce pressurelosses through the compressors to maximize or otherwise improve thecompression ratio. Though examples disclosed herein are discussed inconnection with a turbofan jet engine, it is understood that examplesdisclosed herein can be implemented in connection with a turbojet jetengine, a turboprop jet engine, a combustion turbine for powerproduction, or any other suitable application where it is desired toincrease compression ratios across one or more compressors.

The example low-pressure compressor and high-pressure compressor of theturbine engine of the turbofan each include one or more stages. Eachstage includes an annular array of compressor blades (e.g., firstairfoils) mounted about a central rotor paired with an annular array ofstationary compressor vanes (e.g., second airfoils) spaced apart fromthe rotor and fixed to a casing of the compressor. At an aft portion ofa compressor stage, rotation of the rotor and accompanying bladesprovides an increase in velocity, temperature, and pressure of air flow.At a fore portion of the compressor stage, the air flow diffuses (e.g.,loses velocity) across compressor vanes providing for an increase inpressure. The implementation of multiple stages across the low-pressurecompressor and high-pressure compressor provides for the compressionratios to operate a jet engine such as a turbofan.

In the example of the high-pressure compressor and the low-pressurecompressor, compressor blades (also referred to herein as blades and/ordovetail blades) are arrayed about a corresponding high-pressurecompressor rotor and low-pressure compressor rotor, respectively. Thehigh-pressure rotor and accompanying compressor blades (e.g., blades,dovetail blades, etc.) are typically fashioned from Titanium alloys(e.g., a Titanium-Aluminum alloy, a Titanium-Chromium alloy, etc.)and/or Steel alloys (e.g., a Steel-Chromium alloy), etc. For example, toincrease ease of maintenance and assembly, replaceability of blades,and/or modularity of the high-pressure compressor, discrete compressorblades are mounted in series annularly about the high-pressure rotor toachieve a substantially uniform distribution annularly about the rotor.For this purpose, an example compressor blade implemented in accordancewith the teachings of this disclosure includes an airfoil portion and amounting portion. The airfoil portion of the compressor blade causes thevelocity, pressure, and temperature increase to the air flow. Themounting portion of the compressor blade enables mounting of blade tothe rotor. In some examples, the geometry of the airfoil portion and/ormounting portion can be different for the compressor blades of eachstage of the high-pressure compressor and the same for the compressorblades within each stage of the high-pressure compressor.

In certain examples, the mounting portion of the example compressorblade includes a dovetail protrusion and a platform. In this example,the high-pressure compressor rotor is provided at each stage with adovetail slot (e.g., also referred to herein as a slot) to receive thedovetail protrusions of a plurality of blades of the stage. For example,a compressor blade can be in a mounted state with a high-pressure rotorwhen the dovetail slot of the high-pressure compressor rotor receivesthe dovetail protrusion of the compressor blade. In this example, thedovetail protrusion of the blade defines a radially outer portion (e.g.,a portion relatively radially outward when mounted) and a radially innerportion (e.g., a portion relatively radially inward when mounted). Inthis example, the radially outer portion is relatively less in axiallength (e.g., when mounted, the length in the axial direction of theturbine engine and/or compressor) than the radially inner portion. Thedovetail slot also includes a radially outer portion and a radiallyinner portion. For example, the radially outer portion can include apair of annular flanges (e.g., a neck, a first neck, etc.) extendingaxially towards the center of the dovetail slot. The dimensions of thecompressor blade and the dovetail slot are such that when the compressorblade is in a mounted state with the compressor blade, the annularflanges (e.g., a neck) of the dovetail slot interfere with the radiallyinner portion of the compressor blade, thereby retaining the compressorblade from radially outward movement.

Traditionally, a plurality of compressor blades of a stage are mountedannularly in a dovetail slot directly in series such that the platformof each blade interfaces with the platform of a first subsequent bladeon a first circumferential side and interfaces with the platform of asecond subsequent blade on a second circumferential side.

Though examples disclosed herein are discussed in connection withdovetail slots of a rotor of a high-pressure compressor of a core gasturbine engine of a turbofan engine, other examples can be implementedin accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure for alow-pressure compressor, an intermediate-pressure compressor, a solecompressor of a single spool gas turbine, a compressor with analternative slot design, a compressor of a gas turbine for industrialpower production, a turbine rotor and/or any other suitable application.

A challenge for an open rotor engine is to create a secure loadingmechanism to retain blades in their slots. Examples disclosed anddescribed herein provide various mechanisms (e.g., referred to as ablade retention apparatus, retention device, etc.) to keep a rotor bladein an engine slot.

Advantages to these configurations include keeping a blade loaded in adovetail slot such as in instances of low rpm, where proper seating ofthe blade in the slot is reduced and an excitation force may be highsuch as in propeller or open-rotor applications. In propeller oropen-rotor engine applications, for example, a high vibratory load isexperienced during various phases of the flight due to asymmetricpropeller loading (e.g., P-Factor or 1P loading). 1P loading, alsoreferred to as +/−1P loading, refers to movement or force on a bladecaused by a blade's excitation frequency relative to rotor revolution,which often occurs during takeoff rotation.

Further, existing turboprop or open rotor technology requires that whenthere is a failure of a blade, the single blade cannot be removed.Instead, a complex disassembly process must be completed to remove asingle fan blade, which increases the time and work required to servicethe equipment. In contrast, certain examples enable blades toindividually be retained and removed from a blade assembly forservicing, repair, replacement, etc.

Example retaining mechanisms can be applied to both closed and openrotor engine designs. For purposes of illustration only, FIG. 1Aillustrates an example closed-rotor turbofan engine, and FIG. 1Billustrates an example open-rotor engine.

FIG. 1A is a schematic partially cross-sectioned side view of an exampleturbofan gas turbine engine 10. The engine 10 may particularly beconfigured as a gas turbine engine for an aircraft. Although furtherdescribed herein as a turbofan engine, the engine 10 may define aturboshaft, turboprop, or turbojet gas turbine engine, including marineand industrial engines and auxiliary power units. As shown in FIG. 1A,the engine 10 has a longitudinal or axial centerline axis 12 thatextends therethrough for reference purposes. An axial direction A isextended co-directional to the axial centerline axis 12 for reference.The engine 10 further defines an upstream end 99 and a downstream end 98for reference. In general, the engine 10 may include a fan assembly 14and a core engine 16 disposed downstream from the fan assembly 14. Forreference, the engine 10 defines an axial direction A, a radialdirection R, and a circumferential direction C. In general, the axialdirection A extends parallel to the axial centerline 12, the radialdirection R extends outward from and inward to the axial centerline 12in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction A, and thecircumferential direction extends three hundred sixty degrees (360°)around the axial centerline 12.

The core engine 16 may generally include a substantially tubular outercasing 18 that defines an annular inlet 20. The outer casing 18 encasesor at least partially forms, in serial flow relationship, a compressorsection having a booster or low pressure (LP) compressor 22, a highpressure (HP) compressor 24, a heat addition system 26, an expansionsection or turbine section including a high pressure (HP) turbine 28, alow pressure (LP) turbine 30 and a jet exhaust nozzle section 32. A highpressure (HP) rotor shaft 34 drivingly connects the HP turbine 28 to theHP compressor 24. A low pressure (LP) rotor shaft 36 drivingly connectsthe LP turbine 30 to the LP compressor 22. The LP rotor shaft 36 mayalso be connected to a fan shaft 38 of the fan assembly 14. In certainexamples, as shown in FIG. 1A, the LP rotor shaft 36 may be connected tothe fan shaft 38 via a reduction gear 40 such as in an indirect-drive orgeared-drive configuration.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the fan assembly 14 includes a plurality of fanblades 42 that are coupled to and that extend radially outwardly fromthe fan shaft 38. An annular fan casing or nacelle 44 circumferentiallymay surround the fan assembly 14 and/or at least a portion of the coreengine 16. It should be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in theart that the nacelle 44 may be configured to be supported relative tothe core engine 16 by a plurality of circumferentially-spaced outletguide vanes or struts 46. Moreover, at least a portion of the nacelle 44may extend over an outer portion of the core engine 16 so as to define afan flow passage 48 therebetween. However, it should be appreciated thatvarious configurations of the engine 10 may omit the nacelle 44, or omitthe nacelle 44 from extending around the fan blades 42, such as toprovide an open rotor or propfan configuration of the engine 10 depictedin FIG. 1B.

It should be appreciated that combinations of the shafts 34, 36, thecompressors 22, 24, and the turbines 28, 30 define a rotor assembly 90of the engine 10. For example, the HP shaft 34, HP compressor 24, and HPturbine 28 may define a high speed or HP rotor assembly of the engine10. Similarly, combinations of the LP shaft 36, LP compressor 22, and LPturbine 30 may define a low speed or LP rotor assembly of the engine 10.Various examples of the engine 10 may further include the fan shaft 38and fan blades 42 as the LP rotor assembly. In certain examples, theengine 10 may further define a fan rotor assembly at least partiallymechanically de-coupled from the LP spool via the fan shaft 38 and thereduction gear 40. Still further examples may further define one or moreintermediate rotor assemblies defined by an intermediate pressurecompressor, an intermediate pressure shaft, and an intermediate pressureturbine disposed between the LP rotor assembly and the HP rotor assembly(relative to serial aerodynamic flow arrangement).

During operation of the engine 10, a flow of air, shown schematically byarrows 74, enters an inlet 76 of the engine 10 defined by the fan caseor nacelle 44. A portion of air, shown schematically by arrow 80, entersthe core engine 16 through a core inlet 20 defined at least partiallyvia the outer casing 18. The flow of air is provided in serial flowthrough the compressors, the heat addition system, and the expansionsection via a core flowpath 70. The flow of air 80 is increasinglycompressed as it flows across successive stages of the compressors 22,24, such as shown schematically by arrows 82. The compressed air 82enters the heat addition system 26 and mixes with a liquid and/orgaseous fuel and is ignited to produce combustion gases 86. It should beappreciated that the heat addition system 26 may form any appropriatesystem for generating combustion gases, including, but not limited to,deflagrative or detonative combustion systems, or combinations thereof.The heat addition system 26 may include annular, can, can-annular,trapped vortex, involute or scroll, rich burn, lean burn, rotatingdetonation, or pulse detonation configurations, or combinations thereof.

The combustion gases 86 release energy to drive rotation of the HP rotorassembly and the LP rotor assembly before exhausting from the jetexhaust nozzle section 32. The release of energy from the combustiongases 86 further drives rotation of the fan assembly 14, including thefan blades 42. A portion of the air 74 bypasses the core engine 16 andflows across the fan flow passage 48, such as shown schematically byarrows 78.

It should be appreciated that FIG. 1A depicts and describes a two-streamengine having the fan flow passage 48 and the core flowpath 70. Theexample depicted in FIG. 1A has a nacelle 44 surrounding the fan blades42, such as to provide noise attenuation, blade-out protection, andother benefits known for nacelles, and which may be referred to hereinas a “ducted fan,” or the entire engine 10 may be referred to as a“ducted engine.”

FIG. 1B provides a schematic cross-sectional view of an exampleopen-rotor turbine engine according to one example of the presentdisclosure. Particularly, FIG. 1B provides an aviation three-streamturbofan engine herein referred to as “three-stream engine 100”. Thethree-stream engine 100 of FIG. 1B can be mounted to an aerial vehicle,such as a fixed-wing aircraft, and can produce thrust for propulsion ofthe aerial vehicle. The architecture of the three-stream engine 100provides three distinct streams of thrust-producing airflow duringoperation. Unlike the engine 10 shown in FIG. 1A, the three-streamengine 100 includes a fan that is not ducted by a nacelle or cowl, suchthat it may be referred to herein as an “unducted fan,” or the entireengine 100 may be referred to as an “unducted engine.”

For reference, the three-stream engine 100 defines an axial direction A,a radial direction R, and a circumferential direction C. Moreover, thethree-stream engine 100 defines an axial centerline or longitudinal axis112 that extends along the axial direction A. In general, the axialdirection A extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 112, the radialdirection R extends outward from and inward to the longitudinal axis 112in a direction orthogonal to the axial direction A, and thecircumferential direction extends three hundred sixty degrees (360°)around the longitudinal axis 112. The three-stream engine 100 extendsbetween a forward end 114 and an aft end 116, e.g., along the axialdirection A.

The three-stream engine 100 includes a core engine 120 and a fan section150 positioned upstream thereof. Generally, the core engine 120includes, in serial flow order, a compressor section, a combustionsection, a turbine section, and an exhaust section. Particularly, asshown in FIG. 1B, the core engine 120 includes a core cowl 122 thatdefines an annular core inlet 124. The core cowl 122 further encloses alow pressure system and a high pressure system. In certain examples, thecore cowl 122 may enclose and support a booster or low pressure (“LP”)compressor 126 for pressurizing the air that enters the core engine 120through core inlet 124. A high pressure (“HP”), multi-stage, axial-flowcompressor 128 receives pressurized air from the LP compressor 126 andfurther increases the pressure of the air. The pressurized air streamflows downstream to a combustor 130 where fuel is injected into thepressurized air stream and ignited to raise the temperature and energylevel of the pressurized air. It will be appreciated that as usedherein, the terms “high/low speed” and “high/low pressure” are used withrespect to the high pressure/high speed system and low pressure/lowspeed system interchangeably. Further, it will be appreciated that theterms “high” and “low” are used in this same context to distinguish thetwo systems, and are not meant to imply any absolute speed and/orpressure values.

The high energy combustion products flow from the combustor 130downstream to a high pressure turbine 132. The high pressure turbine 132drives the high pressure compressor 128 through a high pressure shaft136. In this regard, the high pressure turbine 132 is drivingly coupledwith the high pressure compressor 128. The high energy combustionproducts then flow to a low pressure turbine 134. The low pressureturbine 134 drives the low pressure compressor 126 and components of thefan section 150 through a low pressure shaft 138. In this regard, thelow pressure turbine 134 is drivingly coupled with the low pressurecompressor 126 and components of the fan section 150. The LP shaft 138is coaxial with the HP shaft 136 in this example. After driving each ofthe turbines 132, 134, the combustion products exit the core engine 120through a core exhaust nozzle 140 to produce propulsive thrust.Accordingly, the core engine 120 defines a core flowpath or core duct142 that extends between the core inlet 124 and the core exhaust nozzle140. The core duct 142 is an annular duct positioned generally inward ofthe core cowl 122 along the radial direction R.

The fan section 150 includes a fan 152, which is the primary fan in thisexample. For the depicted example of FIG. 1B, the fan 152 is an openrotor or unducted fan. However, in other examples, the fan 152 may beducted, e.g., by a fan casing or nacelle circumferentially surroundingthe fan 152. As depicted, the fan 152 includes an array of fan blades154 (only one shown in FIG. 1B). The fan blades 154 are rotatable, e.g.,about the longitudinal axis 112. As noted above, the fan 152 isdrivingly coupled with the low pressure turbine 134 via the LP shaft138. The fan 152 can be directly coupled with the LP shaft 138, e.g., ina direct-drive configuration. Optionally, as shown in FIG. 1B, the fan152 can be coupled with the LP shaft 138 via a speed reduction gearbox155, e.g., in an indirect-drive or geared-drive configuration.

Moreover, the fan blades 154 can be arranged in equal spacing around thelongitudinal axis 112. Each blade 154 has a root and a tip and a spandefined therebetween. Each blade 154 defines a central blade axis 156.For this example, each blade 154 of the fan 152 is rotatable about itsrespective central blade axes 156, e.g., in unison with one another. Oneor more actuators 158 can be controlled to pitch the blades 154 abouttheir respective central blade axes 156. However, in other examples,each blade 154 may be fixed or unable to be pitched about its centralblade axis 156.

The fan section 150 further includes a fan guide vane array 160 thatincludes fan guide vanes 162 (only one shown in FIG. 1B) disposed aroundthe longitudinal axis 112. For this example, the fan guide vanes 162 arenot rotatable about the longitudinal axis 112. Each fan guide vane 162has a root and a tip and a span defined therebetween. The fan guidevanes 162 may be unshrouded as shown in FIG. 1B or may be shrouded,e.g., by an annular shroud spaced outward from the tips of the fan guidevanes 162 along the radial direction R.

Each fan guide vane 162 defines a central blade axis 164. For thisexample, each fan guide vane 162 of the fan guide vane array 160 isrotatable about its respective central blade axes 164, e.g., in unisonwith one another. One or more actuators 166 can be controlled to pitchthe fan guide vane 162 about their respective central blade axes 164.However, in other examples, each fan guide vane 162 may be fixed orunable to be pitched about its central blade axis 164. The fan guidevanes 162 are mounted to a fan cowl 170.

As shown in FIG. 1B, in addition to the fan 152, which is unducted, aducted fan 184 is included aft of the fan 152, such that thethree-stream engine 100 includes both a ducted and an unducted fan thatboth serve to generate thrust through the movement of air withoutpassage through core engine 120. The ducted fan 184 is shown at aboutthe same axial location as the fan guide vane 162, and radially inwardof the fan guide vane 162. Alternatively, the ducted fan 184 may bebetween the fan guide vane 162 and core duct 142, or be farther forwardof the fan guide vane 162. The ducted fan 184 may be driven by the lowpressure turbine 134 (e.g., coupled to the LP shaft 138), or by anyother suitable source of rotation, and may serve as the first stage ofbooster or may be operated separately.

The fan cowl 170 annularly encases at least a portion of the core cowl122 and is generally positioned outward of the core cowl 122 along theradial direction R. Particularly, a downstream section of the fan cowl170 extends over a forward portion of the core cowl 122 to define a fanflowpath or fan duct 172. Incoming air may enter through the fan duct172 through a fan duct inlet 176 and may exit through a fan exhaustnozzle 178 to produce propulsive thrust. The fan duct 172 is an annularduct positioned generally outward of the core duct 142 along the radialdirection R. The stationary struts 174 may each be aerodynamicallycontoured to direct air flowing thereby. Other struts in addition to thestationary struts 174 may be used to connect and support the fan cowl170 and/or core cowl 122. In many examples, the fan duct 172 and thecore duct 122 may at least partially co-extend (generally axially) onopposite sides (e.g., opposite radial sides) of the core cowl 122. Forexample, the fan duct 172 and the core duct 122 may each extend directlyfrom the leading edge 144 of the core cowl 122 and may partiallyco-extend generally axially on opposite radial sides of the core cowl.

The three-stream engine 100 also defines or includes an inlet duct 180.The inlet duct 180 extends between an engine inlet 182 and the coreinlet 124/fan duct inlet 176. The engine inlet 182 is defined generallyat the forward end of the fan cowl 170 and is positioned between the fan152 and the array of fan guide vanes 160 along the axial direction A.The inlet duct 180 is an annular duct that is positioned inward of thefan cowl 170 along the radial direction R. Air flowing downstream alongthe inlet duct 180 is split, not necessarily evenly, into the core duct142 and the fan duct 172 by a splitter or leading edge 144 of the corecowl 122. The inlet duct 180 is wider than the core duct 142 along theradial direction R. The inlet duct 180 is also wider than the fan duct172 along the radial direction R.

Example Dovetail and Slot Configurations

FIG. 2 is a partial cross section of an example high-pressure compressorrotor depicting a compressor dovetail slot. In the example of FIG. 2,one or more compressor blades 202 are mounted on the high-pressurecompressor rotor 200. In the view of FIG. 2, the fore direction is tothe left, and the aft direction is to the right. An example dovetailslot 204 includes a lower cavity 206. A dovetail protrusion 208 fits inthe lower cavity 206 of the example dovetail slot 204.

Certain examples provide improved dovetail seating in a slot. Certainexamples provide dovetail seating adding a radial load to the dovetailof the blade. In certain examples, a radial load is added to thedovetail in combination with an axial retention feature. The radialloading keeps the dovetail seated during large applied moments at lowrevolutions per minute (RPM). In certain examples, in an open rotorconfiguration, a high radial load is provided to prevent unseating ofthe blade and its dovetail from its slot.

Current configurations, such as beam or clank springs can provide someradial load under windmill conditions but cannot provide sufficientradial load to reliably maintain the blade in the slot. Currentconfigurations are not locking or self-adjusting. In contrast, certainexamples provide sufficient radial load to maintain the dovetail of theblade in the slot. Certain examples are locking and self-adjusting.

In certain examples, an open rotor blade may be subjected to a varietyof conditions such as low tip speed, high propeller alternating loads,reverse thrust, etc., which can cause the dovetail to unseat from theslot or socket and result in rapid wear of the dovetail and blade.Certain examples provide a mechanism to increase the seating force onthe dovetail to prevent movement under normal vibratory and/or reversethrust load conditions.

Certain examples provide a spacer that fits underneath the blade and hasa tapered slot with a wedge inside. Movement of the wedge changes theeffective thickness of the spacer. A pre-loaded spring pulls on thewedge expanding the spacer so exerting force on the blade root.Manufacturing variations are automatically compensated for by the natureof the wedge/spring arrangement. Changes in part dimensions duringservice due to wear or creep are similarly accommodated.

Certain examples provide a radial clamp, which is locking such that itdoes not compress under reaction load. The radial clamp is alsoself-adjusting to compensate for component wear, compliance, creep,temperature, manufacturing variance, etc., while operating in a smallenvelope. Certain examples provide expanding wedges.

As such, certain examples provide a preload mechanism to preventunseating and/or wear in blade dovetails. Alternatively or additionally,certain examples adjust a pitch axis to reduce or minimize a range ofmoments.

FIG. 3A illustrates an example dovetail/slot attachment 300 with rigidmaterials and a radial load. As shown in the example 300, a contactforce distribution 310 across pressure faces of the dovetail 320 isapproximately uniform. As shown in the example of FIG. 3B, addition of amoment 330 to a shank 340 of the blade changes the contact forcedistribution 315 to react the moment 330.

As shown in the example of FIG. 4A, if the moment 330 becomes largeenough, the contact force 317 becomes zero along the edges of thepressure-faces, which lose or loosen contact and start to open up. Ifthis is the result of a vibratory load (1P), it may lead to movement andrapid wear of the blade. As shown in the example of FIG. 4B, by addingto the radial load 410, the moment carrying capability 420 before lossof edge contact can be increased, at the expense of average and peakcontact pressure.

Propeller blades have a big range of moments that have to be reacted. Adovetail attachment can be provided with a radial force 410 to keep thedovetail in the slot and prevent or reduce rocking due to the moment330, which in turn reduces wear and associated failure and maintenance,for example.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example in which a dovetail 510 of a rotor orblade 520 fits in a slot, also referred to as a trunnion 530. A space540 between the bottom of the dovetail 510 and the cavity of thetrunnion 530 can contribute to motion of the dovetail 510. To compensatefor this motion (e.g., due to pressure, vibration, etc.), an insert,such as a lock, etc., can be added.

A locking spacer, for example, can fill the space 540 and apply apreload to the dovetail 510 in the slot/socket/trunnion 530. The lockingspacer can provide a radial clamping force in a small envelope tocompensate for component wear, compliance, creep in the trunnion 530,etc. The locking spacer can be insensitive to temperature, lightweight,and enable dis-assembly without lock up or complication to remove ablade 520 from its trunnion 530, for example.

Example Self-Adjusting, Locking Spacer

FIGS. 6A-6C show views of an example self-adjusting, locking spacerapparatus 600. The example spacer apparatus 600 can be inserted into thespace 540 and locked to reduce or inhibit movement of the dovetail 510in the trunnion 530 (e.g., serving as a preload or retaining devicehelping to retain the dovetail 510 in the trunnion/slot/socket 530). Theexample spacer apparatus 600 includes a spacer 610, a wedge 620, and aspring 630. The spring 630, which can be set at assembly, maintenance,etc., pulls the wedge 620 through the spacer 610 to provide a pre-loadto keep the dovetail 510 of the blade 520 in the slot/trunnion 530 tohelp ensure compliance and reduce wear. The material, tension, bend,etc., of the spacer 610, wedge 620, and/or spring 630 can vary based ona size of the gap or space 540, the dovetail 510, the blade 520, and/orthe trunnion 530, for example. The wedge 620 fits inside the spacer 610,and, when the spring 630 tightens, the spring 630 pulls the wedge 620 toexpand the spacer 610 (e.g., in the space or gap 540). The spring 630creates a radial force (e.g., a radial preload force) on the bottom ofthe blade 520 and can accommodate changes in the space 540 by greater orlesser pulling of the wedge 620 with the spring 630. The wedge 620generates an axial load on the blade 520 as well, so that thecombination of radial and axial forces from the spring 630 and the wedge620 act to keep the blade 520 in position. As force increases, the wedge620 will not slide back due to strength of friction exerted on the wedge620 with respect to the spacer 610 (e.g., making the spacer 610self-locking). If reaction increases, the wedge 620 does not compress.The combination of spacer 610, the wedge 620, and the spring 630 canaccommodate changes in distance due to wear, heat, etc. Choice of spacer610, wedge 620, and spring 630 determine a range of the locking spacerapparatus 600, for example.

In certain examples, the spacer 610, wedge 620, and/or spring 630 aremetallic. However, depending on the space 540 and total force involved,one or more of the spacer 610, the wedge 620, and/or the spring 630 canbe non-metallic. For example, the spacer 610 and/or the wedge 620 can beformed of titanium, aluminum, a composite, etc. The spring 630 can beformed of a laminated composite, for example. Coating(s) can be appliedto surface(s) to control wear and friction (e.g., e.g.,Teflon®-impregnated Nomex® or glass cloth, molybdenum paint, no coating(e.g., bare), etc. In certain examples, the spacer 610 is formed in acurve (e.g., could also be an S-curve). The spacer 610 can be formed asa single piece that is bent, etc., and/or as two parts joined togetherwith a hinge and/or other connection. The spacer 610, the wedge 620, thespring 630, etc., can be machine, injection molded, additivelymanufactured, etc.

As such, rather than a flexible beam spring, the locking spacer assembly600 provides a locking, self-adjusting mechanism to apply a radial loadto the dovetail 510 in the trunnion 530. The example apparatus 600 formsan expanding wedge that increases a seating force on the dovetail 510 tohelp keep the dovetail 510 in the trunnion or slot 530 under vibratoryand/or reverse thrust load conditions, for example. The spacer wedgeassembly 600 fits underneath the blade dovetail 510 and has a taperedslot 610 with the wedge 620 inside. Movement of the wedge 620 changesthe effective thickness of the spacer 610. A pre-loaded spring 630 pullson the wedge 620 to expand the spacer 610 and exert force on the bladeroot 510. Manufacturing variations are automatically compensated for bythe wedge 620/spring 630 arrangement. Changes in part dimension duringservice due to wear or creep are similarly accommodated by the wedge620/spring 630 combination with the spacer 610, for example. The addedaxial force, alone or in conjunction with a radial force, depending onthe configuration, overcome an unseating moment to hold the bladedovetail 510 in position.

As such, certain examples provide a retaining system for a blade of anengine. The example retaining system includes means, such as the spacer610, for spacing to be positioned in a socket with an end of a blade.The example retaining system includes means, such as the wedge 620, forwedging positioned inside the means for spacing. The example retainingsystem includes means, such as the spring 630, for tightening to pullthe means for wedging to expand the means for spacing.

Other examples can be implemented as alternatives and/or in addition tothe locking spacer apparatus 600 described above. For example, a collector holder can be used with a trunnion, socket, or other slot to securethe dovetail of a blade.

Example Radial and/or Axial Preloading

FIG. 7 shows an example collect or holder 700 for a blade dovetail.Rather than an integral or circular collect, certain examples provide aslotted, counterweighted collect 700 to secure the dovetail 510 of theblade 520. Using the example counterweighted collect 700, the dovetailslides into a fixture 710 and the blade slips into a slot 720 formingthe collect 700. The counterweighted collect 700 provides a radial forceto keep the dovetail 510 seated during large applied moments at low RPM,for example.

FIG. 8 depicts an example engine cross-section 800 in which the collect700 configuration can be implemented. The example cross-section 800shows an example blade 805 and its associated radial load 810. The bladeradial load 810 can be reacted using a variety of radial and/or axialpreload devices as described herein.

FIG. 9 shows an example graph of amplification ratio versus frequencyratio experienced by an example blade dovetail when exposed to nodamping, some damping critical damping, etc. (as indicated by variable Alarge frequency/amplification margin (1F/1R) can be accommodatedaccording to certain examples disclosed herein to handle increased bladeloading, particularly in an open rotor configuration such as shown inthe example of FIG. 8, while preventing the dovetail from beingunseated. For example, an open rotor P factor is caused by an angle ofattack (AoA) of the blade during rotation. Increased blade loading (1/F)can result, which has a tendency to unseat a traditional dovetail. Assuch, there is an incentive to maintain a large 1F/1R margin. The Pfactor and associated blade loading and unseating can be countered by apreload mechanism such as described herein.

FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate differences in dovetail loading with respect toa baseline, plus or minus P loading. For example, FIG. 10A illustrates aload or force at takeoff or baseline. FIG. 10B shows an example takeoffforce plus an asymmetric blade effect P (e.g., takeoff+1P). FIG. 10Cshows an example takeoff force minus asymmetric blade effect P (e.g.,takeoff−1P).

Example Collet-Based Configurations

In certain examples, both radial and axial preloads can be applied to ablade dovetail using a ram. FIGS. 11A-11C illustrate example bladedovetail axial and radial retention configurations that can be usedalternatively and/or additionally to the configurations of FIGS. 6A-6C,etc. By using the configurations in combination, for example, bothradial and axial forces can be applied to retain the blade in itstrunnion or slot.

The example of FIG. 11A depicts a double wedge configuration with amechanical screw to secure the dovetail of the blade 1110 with respectto a collect 1120. In the example of FIG. 11A, turning a screw 1130pulls in a wedge or ram 1140 to separate an upper taper 1 and a lowertaper 2. The screw 1130 can be turned and set at assembly, uponmaintenance, etc. Pulling the wedge/ram 1140 separates the tapers 1 and2, seats the blade 1110 in the collect 1120, and engages axial tabs1150, 1155 to secure the blade 1110.

In the example of FIG. 11B, a screw or plunger 1130 is movable from thebottom of the collect 1120 to push upward on the ram 1140. Pressure fromthe ram 1140 created by the screw/plunger 1130 helps to secure the blade1110. As such, rather than pulling the ram 1140 as in the example ofFIG. 11A, the configuration of FIG. 11B positions the screw 1130underneath the ram 1140 and utilizes movement of the screw to pushupward on the ram 1140 to apply pressure to blade 1110 to keep the blade1110 seated with respect to the collect 1120.

In the example of FIG. 11C, a spring 1160 is provided instead of thetapers of FIG. 11A. The ram 1140 is pushed in to push out the spring1160 and seat the blade 1110 with respect to the collect 1120. Thespring 1160 allows some movement while providing at least an axial forcewith the ram 1140 to keep the blade 1110 seated with respect to thecollect 1120.

As such, the examples of FIGS. 11A-11C generate axial and/or radialforce greater than an unseating moment (e.g., greater than an unseatingmoment by at least 1.5, etc.) to hold the blade 1110 in place withrespect to the collect 1120. The example designs accommodate low RPMblade seating with vibrational pressure loading (e.g., between 1.5-4×aero load, etc.), while being serviceable for on-wing blade removal.Axial retention is incorporated to aid in collect sizing, for example.The example configurations can be applied to open rotorblades/propellers, short nacelles (e.g., with significant loading >1.2×aero load, etc.), dovetail interfaces, etc., with combined axial andradial retention, for example.

FIGS. 12A-12B illustrate an example parameterization with respect to ramloads (e.g., the ram 1140 of the examples of FIGS. 11A-11C). Forexample, airfoil and aero loads want to unseat an airfoil from its slot.Certain examples provide a ram force to keep the airfoil seated at alltimes. As shown in the example of FIGS. 12A-12B, a minimum ram force canbe determined to provide a workable spring-dovetail-collectconfiguration. For example, a conventional spring puts a few thousandpounds of force on a blade to keep the blade seated during windmillingof the rotor on the tarmac (e.g., when wind is blowing and moving theblades). When the blade is spun up with power, the weight of the bladeseats the blade in the slot, and the associated conventional spring hasno effect on the blade. To remedy the deficiencies of a conventionalspring, certain examples provide an improved spring that is applyingforce to the blade throughout windmilling, engaged spinning, and otherexposure to force. This can be parameterized as illustrated in theexample of FIGS. 12A-12B.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, an aero load is placed on an airfoil,which is affixed to an attachment. The aero load is applied at a radialcenter of pressure (CP) for the airfoil or blade. A moment (M) generatedat the point of attachment of the airfoil can be calculated as:

M=Aero load×CP   (Eq. 1).

An unseating moment (Mp) for the airfoil can be calculated as:

Mp=>1.5 Aero load×CP   (Eq. 2).

As shown in the example of FIG. 12B, a ram force can react the moment(M) affecting the dovetail of the blade at the attachment point. The ramforce relates to a force (F) being applied to the blade dovetail at adistance (d) with an angle alpha. For example, the force (F) relates tothe ram force and the unseating moment (Mp) as follows:

F=Ram Force/2×cos(alpha)   (Eq. 3); and

F×d=Mp   (Eq. 4).

A desired ram force can then also be related to the unseating moment(Mp):

Ram Force/2×cos(alpha)×d=Mp   (Eq. 5); and

Ram Force=2[Mp/(2cos(alpha)×d)]  (Eq. 6).

As such, a ram force can be calculated to react an unseating moment fora blade dovetail and used to apply a ram and/or other preload to thedovetail, as described herein.

Returning to the example counterweight collect 700 of FIG. 7, certainexamples provide a dovetail interface to a collect design. That is,alternatively or in addition to providing a preload force to a bladedovetail in a slot/socket/trunnion, a collect can be employed to retainthe dovetail in the slot/socket/trunnion. Certain examples apply thisconfiguration to an open rotor turbofan engine in which apitch-controlled blade requires that blade attachment be maintained.Using a dovetail interface, the modified collect provides axialretention in both forward and aft directions and adds stiffness tocollect posts. Since the collect 700 is circular, stiffness in the postscounters less stiffness at the dovetail slot breakout ends compared toat mid-span of the collect 700. Certain examples enable use of adovetail slot in a collect design. A dovetail slot allows forflight-line removal of blades and also allows the blade to be muchthinner at the root, which limits the blade hub flow blockage, forexample. Additionally, certain examples with dovetail use enable a pitchchange configuration, allowing a thinner blade shank near the hub,adjustment of the blade, etc.

The initial collect 700 and dovetail configuration of FIG. 7 can bemodified for better retention of the dovetail in the slot. FIGS. 13A-13Cillustrate an improved collect dovetail configuration 1300 in which ablade dovetail slot is provided in a collect and/or trunnion withcombined axial retention and slot stiffeners (also referred to herein asretainers or retention straps) on both sides of the slot. The example ofFIGS. 13A-13C applies to a variable pitch collect with a dovetail slot,for example, and/or other collect configuration on a rotatable hub(e.g., an open rotor engine hub, etc.) and provides axial retention fora blade in the slot. Post stiffening can be provided via a boltedconnection. Certain examples incorporate optional machined rampedinterfaces for additional stiffening and/or optional axial bolting toretain collect interfaces.

For example, a round collect can be machined to flatten forward and aftfaces and form pockets with ramps to hold one or more stiffening strapsin position and react moments to keep the blade in place. In certainexamples, the collect can be formed of titanium or other similarmaterial, with components formed of the same material or at leastmaterial matching a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Other partsof the trunnion or socket could be formed of titanium as well, ratherthan steel, because the improved collect reinforces and providessupport, rendering the heavier metal in the trunnion unnecessary. Assuch, the improved configuration not only provides increased support forthe blade but also reduces weight of the materials.

More specifically, FIG. 13A illustrates an example perspective view of acollect/trunnion base 1300 for a blade dovetail. The collect/trunnionsocket 1300 includes a slot 1310 into which the dovetail of a blade ispositioned. Retainers or stiffeners 1320, 1325 are provided at the endsof the slot 1310. The retainers 1320, 1325 combine axial retention andslot stiffening to help keep the blade seated in the slot 1310.

FIG. 13B shows a top view of the arrangement 1300 of FIG. 13A. As shownin the example of FIG. 13B, the blade slot 1310 in the collect/trunnion1300 is bounded by the axial retainer 1320. As shown in the example topview of FIG. 13B, ramps 1330, 1335 can (optionally) be machined into theretainer 1320 for additional stiffening support. Ramps 1330, 1335 can bealigned with the dovetail as it fits in the slot 1310, for example. Apocket 1340, 1345 can be machined in the collect/trunnion 1300 and theretainer 1320 on each end of the retainer 1320. A bolt 1350, 1355 is(optionally) positioned through the respective end of the retainer 1320through the pocket 1340, 1345 and into the collect/trunnion 1300 tosecure the retainer 1300 with respect to the collect/trunnion 1300 andsecure the dovetail in the slot 1310. While the retainer 1320 is shownas an example, the retainer 1325 (not shown in this view) can besimilarly configured at the other end of the slot 1310 of thecollect/trunnion 1300.

FIG. 13C shows an axial view of the arrangement 1300 of FIGS. 13A-13B.As shown in the example of FIG. 13C, pockets 1340, 1345 are machinedinto the collect/trunnion fixture 1300 to accommodate the retainers1320, 1325 and machined ramps 1330, 1335 can be provided for additionalstiffening.

As such, the example of FIGS. 13A-13C provides axial retention for ablade in the slot and provides post stiffening via a bolted connection.The example of FIGS. 13A-13C can incorporate machined ramp interfacesfor additional stiffening. The example of FIGS. 13A-13C can incorporateaxial bolting to retain collect interfaces. The example of FIGS. 13A-13Ccan apply to a variety of collect/trunnion configurations including avariable pitch collect with a dovetail slot, for example.

Certain examples provide a blade retention apparatus including areceiving means, such as the collect/trunnion 1300, including a slot toreceive an end of a blade, and a retention means, such as the retainers1320, 1325, taken alone or in conjunction with the ramps 1330, 1335and/or the pockets 1340, 1345, positioned at a first end and a secondend of the receiving means to provide axial retention for the blade inthe slot.

FIGS. 14A-14D show alternative example views of a collect and dovetaildesign, in which the dovetail surrounds and/or is otherwise attached tothe collect, rather than being positioned in a slot. The example of FIG.14A shows an alternative collect 1400 design including a blade dovetail1405 positioned around the collect 1400 and in the slot 1410 of thecollect 1400. In the example of FIG. 14A, a radial force 1415 is added,impacting the blade dovetail 1405 to keep the dovetail 1405 seated inthe collect 1400. As shown in the example of FIG. 14B, a bolt 1420 canconnect or affix the blade and/or its dovetail 1405 to the collect 1400in single shear. Placement of the bolt 1420 reduces a likelihood thatthe dovetail 1405 can be forced apart or pried open. However, the bolt1420 can be removed to service or replace the blade and/or the collect1400 (e.g., while on-wing).

FIG. 14C illustrates an example configuration in which the dovetail ispositioned in a clamped, split arrangement with respect to the collect1400. The dovetail has a primary portion 1430 which interacts with thecollect 1400 and a split portion 1435 that works with the primaryportion 1430 to engage and clamp the collect 1400. The bolt 1420connects the primary portion 1430 and the split portion 1435 around thecollect 1400. As shown in the example of FIG. 14D, a variation of theclamped split dovetail can include a shim or taper 1440 engaging with aclamping dovetail 1450 that is bolted to the shimmed/tapered collect1440 with the bolt 1420. The example configuration of FIG. 14D providesa double shear connection with the bolt 1420, for example.

Thus, using one or more of the example configurations of FIGS. 14A-14C,dovetail faces can be angled (e.g., 60-90 degrees), parallel, etc., andpositioned with respect to a collect to react vibratory forces, forexample. One or more bolts can be used to attach the dovetail to thecollect and carry friction and shear (single or double shear). If ablade is to be repaired or replaced, the dovetail can be unbolted fromthe collect to remove the blade, for example.

Example Changes in Pitch Axis

Blades are positioned in their sockets or slots at a certain angle orpitch. Pitch refers to an angle of the blade in air, for example. Pitchcorresponds to a blade's angle of incidence, which affects the blade'sangle of attack when in motion. In many configurations, an axis by whichthe pitch is measured (a radial pitch axis) aligns with a radial centerof the engine (e.g., referred to as a radial pitch axis). However, incertain examples, instead of or in addition to locking/securing theblade in the collect, a change in pitch axis can also be used to reactmoments on the blade in the slot. A non-radial pitch axis can be used tomitigate moment reaction, for example. Certain examples provide a pitchchange device for an aircraft engine, such as an open-rotor propellerdriven engine or other bladed engine.

FIG. 15A shows a conventional arrangement with a radial pitch axis 1500around which the blade 1510 rotates that is oriented parallel orcolinear to a radial center line of the engine 1520. As shown in FIG.15B, the blade 1510 in motion retains a pitch axis 1500 consistent withthe radial center line of the engine.

However, FIG. 16A illustrates an example configuration in which thepitch axis 1600 has a forward tilt and/or a tangential lean such thatthe pitch axis 1600 is not parallel or colinear to the radial centerline of the engine 1620. As shown in the example of FIG. 16B, adding atilt and/or lean (e.g., a tangential lean, etc.) to the pitch axis 1600changes the inertial component of loading at off-design conditions dueto pitch change. Such configuration can be used to reduce peak values ofa moment reacted at the dovetail or root attachment and associatedbearing(s), making values smaller and lighter, for example.

In certain examples, the pitch axis 1600 is tilted fore or aft, and/orleaned into or away from a direction of rotation. In response, theinertial component of a moment reaction at off-design conditions can bechanged, allowing a reduction of the peak load (e.g., a 30% reductionfor a lean/tilt combination of 5.6/1.6 degrees, etc.). A change in pitchaxis angle 1600 by moving the blade 1600 relative to a line of action offorce generates an artificial inertial reaction at a root or base of theblade 1610, and that reaction can be used to offset some of the loadaffecting the blade 1610, for example.

In certain examples, a hub provides a load-bearing attachment point fora plurality of blades. The hub rotates with a plurality of bladesattached in an open- or closed-rotor engine design, for example. The hubcan include one or more bearings, separately connected to or integratedwith one or more trunnions (e.g., trunnion bearings if integrated). Eachtrunnion is associated with a blade and carries the radial load of theblade in connection with the hub. In certain examples, the hub can bemachined such that the axis of the bearings is tilted or leaned relativeto the engine center line to cause a change in the pitch axis. Rotationof the blades about an inclined axis reduce the peak bending moment andassociated load on the blade.

For example, reverse thrust results in a greatly increased range ofmoment reaction involved at a blade attachment point. These moments arereacted by both the connection between the airfoil (e.g., blade) and thetrunnion (e.g., a dovetail, etc.) and by the bearings between thetrunnion and the hub. The size and weight of the dovetail attachment andthe bearing arrangement are proportional to the maximum load, which alsodetermines a radius ratio of the fan, which is a key performance metric.Certain examples reduce size and weight of the blade attachment andallow for improved stability and performance.

FIGS. 17-27 illustrate example configurations of a blade 1710 at anadjusted pitch angle with respect to a trunnion 1720 and its hub withbearing(s) 1730. As shown in the examples of FIGS. 17-27, a position atwhich the blade 1710 is mounted to hub 1730 of the trunnion 1720 sets apitch angle of the blade 1710 and affects its load (e.g., radial load,etc.). The examples of FIGS. 17-27 illustrate that a variety ofplacements of the blade 1710 with respect to the trunnion 1720 areenvisioned to create an adjusted pitch axis that aligns or diverges froma radial center line of the engine to create a desired moment reaction.By tilting, leaning, and/or otherwise shifting the blade 1710 withrespect to the hub 1730 and/or the trunnion 1720, an artificial inertialreaction can be generated at the root of the blade 1710 to offset radialload.

For example, FIG. 17 positions a first end of the blade 1710 near theconnection to the trunnion 1720. In the example of FIG. 18, the blade1710 is rotated with respect to the trunnion 1720. In FIG. 19, the firstend of the blade 1710 is removably affixed to the trunnion 1720. FIGS.20-27 provide additional examples of tiling, rotating, shifting, and/orotherwise moving the blade 1710 in the trunnion 1720 to generate a pitchaxis that is offset from a radial axis of the hub 1730 and associatedengine.

In certain examples, positioning of the blade 1710 with respect to thetrunnion 1720 and/or the hub 1730 can be determined through finiteelement (FE) modeling to simulate and resolve reactions based on pointof attachment between the blade 1710 and the trunnion 1720. The point ofattachment and/or the associated pitch axis can be modified to determinea blade 1710 orientation and attachment point to the trunnion 1720 thatreduces or minimizes reaction on the blade 1710, for example.

As such, certain examples provide a rotor apparatus including movementmeans, such as a hub, to facilitate movement of blades in an engine, theengine having a radial center line, and connection means, such as atrunnion, to accommodate a first blade, at least one of the connectionmeans or the first blade positioned with at least one of a tilt or alean with respect to the radial center line to form a pitch axis offsetfrom the radial center line such that the pitch axis is not parallel toor co-linear with the radial center line, the movement means to rotatethe first blade about the pitch axis. In certain examples, retentionmeans includes at least one of a ram, a spring, a wedge, taper(s),screw(s), bolt(s), etc.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart of a method 2800 to determine blade position toset a pitch axis relative to an engine radial axis. In certain examples,at block 2802, a finite element (FE) model of the blade 1710 is created,and a dovetail attachment of the blade 1710 is connected to the trunnion1720 and/or other attachment mechanism at a chosen location (e.g.,centered about a pitch axis). At block 2804, the blade is rotated aboutthe chosen location (e.g., pitch axis) to represent different operatingconditions, and, at block 2806, corresponding pressure and temperatureloads can be applied. At block 2808, the model can be solved andreactions resolved at the point of attachment, for example. Maximum andminimum values of critical reactions can be determined. At block 2810, alocation of the dovetail and/or pitch axis can be modified and theanalyses repeated to find a location with minimum absolute value ofcritical reaction (e.g., balance dovetail).

In certain examples, at block 2812, a Design of Experiments (DoE) studyof design space is created in which the pitch axis is leaned and/ortilted over a narrow range (+/−10 deg). At block 2814, results can betabulated, and a statistical analysis/data processing tool is used tocreate meta-models (e.g., surrogate models) predicting output based onlean/tilt. At block 2816, a weighted output parameter can be created bycombining individual outputs using a relative importance function. Atblock 2818, an optimization tool can be used to run the meta-models anddetermine the combination of lean/tilt resulting in the minimum weightedoutput parameter.

In certain examples, at block 2820, results are weighted by combiningtwo results to get one final result (e.g., one result is more valuablethan the other so weight it, etc.). At block 2822, inputs can beexamined to give the most attractive combined result, and various inputscan be weighted to determine what is most important/what provides thebest outcome. For example, pitch/lean can be varied by 10% to evaluatean impact on force, moment, etc.

As described herein, a variety of devices, positioning, and associatedtechniques can be applied to maintain or retain a blade in a collect,trunnion, slot, and/or other socket. Certain examples provide a varietyof blade retention apparatus that can be used separately or incombination to reduce a likelihood of movement of a dovetail in a socket(e.g., trunnion, collect, slot, etc.). Certain examples provide alocking spacer or insert. Certain examples provide a ram, wedge, spring,retention strip, and/or other device to apply radial and/or axialpreload to the dovetail or base of a blade/airfoil. Certain examplesadjust the pitch axis. Certain examples both adjust the pitch axis andprovide a spacer to secure the blade in its slot.

Including” and “comprising” (and all forms and tenses thereof) are usedherein to be open ended terms. Thus, whenever a claim employs any formof “include” or “comprise” (e.g., comprises, includes, comprising,including, having, etc.) as a preamble or within a claim recitation ofany kind, it is to be understood that additional elements, terms, etc.may be present without falling outside the scope of the correspondingclaim or recitation. As used herein, when the phrase “at least” is usedas the transition term in, for example, a preamble of a claim, it isopen-ended in the same manner as the term “comprising” and “including”are open ended. The term “and/or” when used, for example, in a form suchas A, B, and/or C refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as(1) A alone, (2) B alone, (3) C alone, (4) A with B, (5) A with C, (6) Bwith C, and (7) A with B and with C. As used herein in the context ofdescribing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, thephrase “at least one of A and B” is intended to refer to implementationsincluding any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) atleast one A and at least one B. Similarly, as used herein in the contextof describing structures, components, items, objects and/or things, thephrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer to implementationsincluding any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B, and (3) atleast one A and at least one B. As used herein in the context ofdescribing the performance or execution of processes, instructions,actions, activities and/or steps, the phrase “at least one of A and B”is intended to refer to implementations including any of (1) at leastone A, (2) at least one B, and (3) at least one A and at least one B.Similarly, as used herein in the context of describing the performanceor execution of processes, instructions, actions, activities and/orsteps, the phrase “at least one of A or B” is intended to refer toimplementations including any of (1) at least one A, (2) at least one B,and (3) at least one A and at least one B.

As used herein, singular references (e.g., “a”, “an”, “first”, “second”,etc.) do not exclude a plurality. The term “a” or “an” entity, as usedherein, refers to one or more of that entity. The terms “a” (or “an”),“one or more”, and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein.Additionally, although individual features may be included in differentexamples or claims, these may possibly be combined, and the inclusion indifferent examples or claims does not imply that a combination offeatures is not feasible and/or advantageous.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that example methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture have been disclosed that improvedesign and configuration of a blade in a slot. Certain examples improvepositioning and maintenance of positioning of the blade in the slot whensubjected to force.

Although certain example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacturehave been disclosed herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all methods,apparatus and articles of manufacture fairly falling within the scope ofthe claims of this patent.

Further aspects are provided by the subject matter of the followingclauses:

Example 1 provides an apparatus including a socket to receive an end ofa blade; and a retaining device to interact with the socket and theblade for retention of the end of the blade in the socket. The retainingdevice includes: a spacer to be positioned in the socket with the end ofthe blade; a wedge positioned inside the spacer; and a spring to tightento pull the wedge to expand the spacer.

Example 2 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the socketincludes a trunnion.

Example 3 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the socketis positioned on a hub of an open-rotor engine.

Example 4 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the springis tightened to lock the wedge with respect to the spacer in the socket.

Example 5 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the spacer,the wedge, and the spring are metallic.

Example 6 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein at least oneof the spacer, the wedge, or the spring has a coating.

Example 7 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the spaceris formed in a curve.

Example 8 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the spaceris formed as a single bent piece.

Example 9 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the spaceris formed from a plurality of parts joined together.

Example 10 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further including aram positioned with respect to the end of the blade in the socket.

Example 11 is a retaining apparatus including: a spacer to be positionedin a socket with an end of a blade; a wedge positioned inside thespacer; and a spring to tighten to pull the wedge to expand the spacer.

Example 12 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the socketincludes a trunnion.

Example 13 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the socketis positioned on a hub of an open-rotor engine.

Example 14 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the springis tightened to lock the wedge with respect to the spacer in the socket.

Example 15 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein at leastone of the spacer, the wedge, or the spring has a coating.

Example 16 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the spaceris formed in a curve.

Example 17 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the spaceris formed as a single bent piece.

Example 18 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the spaceris formed from a plurality of parts joined together.

Example 19 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further including aram positioned with respect to the end of the blade in the socket.

Example 20 is a retaining system for a blade of an engine. The exampleretaining system includes: means for spacing to be positioned in asocket with an end of a blade; means for wedging positioned inside themeans for spacing; and means for tightening to pull the means forwedging to expand the means for spacing.

Example 21 is a blade apparatus including a collect including a slot toreceive an end of a blade; and a plurality of retainers including afirst retainer positioned on a first end of the collect and a secondretainer positioned on a second end of the collect to provide axialretention for the blade in the slot.

Example 22 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein theplurality of retainers includes a plurality of straps.

Example 23 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the collectincludes pockets to receive the retainers.

Example 24 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the collectincludes ramps to retain and support the retainers.

Example 25 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the rampsalign with the end of the blade that is positioned in the slot.

Example 26 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the collectis round with the first end and the second end flattened.

Example 27 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein theplurality of retainers is secured to the collect using bolts.

Example 28 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein at leastone bolt extends into the blade.

Example 29 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the atleast one bolt is in at least one of single shear or double shear.

Example 30 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further including aram positioned with respect to the end of the blade in the socket.

Example 31 is an open rotor engine apparatus including: a rotatable hub;a collect positioned on the hub, the collect including a slot to receivean end of a blade; and a plurality of retainers including a firstretainer positioned on a first end of the collect and a second retainerpositioned on a second end of the collect to provide axial retention forthe blade in the slot.

Example 32 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein theplurality of retainers includes a plurality of metal straps.

Example 33 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the collectincludes pockets to receive the retainers.

Example 34 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the collectincludes ramps to retain and support the retainers.

Example 35 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the collectis round with the first end and the second end flattened.

Example 36 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein theplurality of retainers is secured to the collect using bolts.

Example 37 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein at leastone bolt extends into the blade.

Example 38 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the atleast one bolt is in at least one of single shear or double shear.

Example 39 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further including aram positioned with respect to the end of the blade in the socket.

Example 40 is a blade retention apparatus including: a receiving meansincluding a slot to receive an end of a blade; and a retention meanspositioned at a first end and a second end of the receiving means toprovide axial retention for the blade in the slot.

Example 41 is a blade apparatus including: a hub to facilitate movementof blades in an engine, the engine having a radial center line; and atrunnion connected to the hub, the trunnion including a slot toaccommodate a first blade, at least one of the trunnion or the firstblade positioned with at least one of a tilt or a lean with respect tothe radial center line to form a pitch axis offset from the radialcenter line such that the pitch axis is not parallel to or co-linearwith the radial center line, the hub to rotate the first blade about thepitch axis.

Example 42 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further includingat least one bearing, the at least one bearing mounted to the hub and atleast one of connected to or integrated with the trunnion.

Example 43 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the tiltincludes a forward tilt.

Example 44 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the leanincludes a tangential lean.

Example 45 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein thetangential lean is into or away from a direction of rotation.

Example 46 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein a positionof the first blade is modeled to simulate and resolve reactions based ona point of attachment between the first blade and the trunnion.

Example 47 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein at leastone of the point of attachment or an orientation of the first blade aredetermined based on the simulated reactions on the first blade.

Example 48 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further including aram positioned with respect to the first blade in the trunnion.

Example 49 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further includingat least one of a spring or a wedge positioned with respect to the firstblade in the trunnion.

Example 50 is a rotor apparatus including: movement means to facilitatemovement of blades in an engine, the engine having a radial center line;and connection means to accommodate a first blade, at least one of theconnection means or the first blade positioned with at least one of atilt or a lean with respect to the radial center line to form a pitchaxis offset from the radial center line such that the pitch axis is notparallel to or co-linear with the radial center line, the movement meansto rotate the first blade about the pitch axis.

Example 51 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the tiltincludes a forward tilt.

Example 52 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, wherein the leanincludes a tangential lean.

Example 53 is the apparatus of any preceding clause, further including aretention means to retain the blade in the connection means.

Example 54 is a computer-implemented method to determine blade positionto set a pitch axis relative to a radial engine axis. The example methodincludes: adjusting a position of a model of a blade at a location withrespect to a trunnion attached to a hub of an engine; applying loads tothe model; solving the model to resolve reactions caused by the loads;predicting one or more outputs based on the model solution; determiningat least one of a lean or a tilt of the blade based on the one or moreoutputs; generating a blade position to form a pitch axis offset from aradial center line of the engine such that the pitch axis is notparallel to or co-linear with the radial center line, the blade torotate about the pitch axis.

Example 55 is the method of any preceding clause, wherein the at leastone output includes a plurality of outputs, and further includingcombining the outputs to create a weighted output parameter.

Example 56 is the method of any preceding clause, further includingevaluating an outcome of the blade position.

Example 57 is the method of any preceding clause, wherein the model is afinite element model and wherein the position of the blade is modeled tosimulate and resolve reactions based on a point of attachment betweenthe blade and the trunnion.

Example 58 is the method of any preceding clause, wherein at least oneof the point of attachment or an orientation of the blade are determinedbased on the reactions simulated and resolved on the blade.

Example 59 is the method of any preceding clause, wherein the locationis a first location, and further including modifying the location to asecond location and repeating the method.

Example 60 is the method of any preceding clause, further includingcreating a design space to at least one of lean or tilt the pitch axiswithin a range.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a socket to receive anend of a blade; and a retaining device to interact with the socket andthe blade for retention of the end of the blade in the socket, theretaining device including: a spacer to be positioned in the socket withthe end of the blade; a wedge positioned inside the spacer; and a springto tighten to pull the wedge to expand the spacer.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the socket includes a trunnion.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the socket is positioned on a hub of an open-rotorengine.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the spring is tightened tolock the wedge with respect to the spacer in the socket.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer, the wedge, and the spring aremetallic.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of thespacer, the wedge, or the spring has a coating.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the spacer is formed in a curve.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the spacer is formed as a single bent piece.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the spacer is formed from a plurality ofparts joined together.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, further including aram positioned with respect to the end of the blade in the socket.
 11. Aretaining apparatus comprising: a spacer to be positioned in a socketwith an end of a blade; a wedge positioned inside the spacer; and aspring to tighten to pull the wedge to expand the spacer.
 12. Theretaining apparatus of claim 11, wherein the socket includes a trunnion.13. The retaining apparatus of claim 11, wherein the socket ispositioned on a hub of an open-rotor engine.
 14. The retaining apparatusof claim 11, wherein the spring is tightened to lock the wedge withrespect to the spacer in the socket.
 15. The retaining apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein at least one of the spacer, the wedge, or the springhas a coating.
 16. The retaining apparatus of claim 11, wherein thespacer is formed in a curve.
 17. The retaining apparatus of claim 11,wherein the spacer is formed as a single bent piece.
 18. The retainingapparatus of claim 11, wherein the spacer is formed from a plurality ofparts joined together.
 19. The retaining apparatus of claim 11, furtherincluding a ram positioned with respect to the end of the blade in thesocket.
 20. A retaining system for a blade of an engine, the retainingsystem comprising: means for spacing to be positioned in a socket withan end of a blade; means for wedging positioned inside the means forspacing; and means for tightening to pull the means for wedging toexpand the means for spacing.